Two local law enforcement officers are going to find out how wet and cold they get this afternoon. Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green and Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren are going to be taking a dip into a lake at the Schildberg Recreation Area this afternoon, beginning at 3 o’clock. The effort is one of many similar attempts nationwide to raise money for the family of 5-month old Landon Shaw, of Tarkio, MO.

Green says he’s seen the various videos on social media with regard to the “Plunge for Landon,” but he noticed something was lacking. He says “Noticed that about 80% of the posts” he’s seen are emergency services workers, but few administrators such as Chiefs of Police, Sheriffs and Councilpersons taking the challenge. McLaren accepted his challenge as did Atlantic City Councilman Chris Jimerson. Green says if they can raise enough money before the plunge, they’ll be decked out for the challenge.

He says if they can raise $300 by 3-pm, they’ll wear their uniforms, minus the expensive equipment such as radios and weapons. You can donate by stopping by the Atlantic Police or Cass County Sheriff’s Departments, or by calling the P-D and making your pledge to donate. He says donations of any amount will be appreciated. Green says the case of a family such as Landon’s being socked with mounting medical bills and travel expensed in the fight against cancer, is something he can relate to, and that’s why he’s stepping up to help them out.

Any funds raised will be sent to the family Wednesday afternoon. This past weekend, several area law enforcement members and firefighters held separate “Plunge for Landon” events to raise funds for the baby and his family.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill that would open state employee records to the public and put into law Gov. Terry Branstad’s executive order prohibiting confidential settlement agreements has won the support of a divided Iowa House. It now goes to the Democratic-majority Senate, where its fate is unclear.

DUNKERTON, Iowa (AP) — A former Dunkerton football player convicted of carrying a handgun onto school grounds is facing an additional charge in the case. Eighteen-year-old Mar’yo Lindsey Jr. has been charged with a single count of carrying weapons on school grounds in connection with having a gun at Riceville school facilities in late August.

FARLEY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an eastern Iowa man has been killed after being hit by a vehicle whose driver is suspected of drunken driving. The Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department says 21-year-old Dawson Besler, of Epworth, was struck and killed early Sunday on Highway 20 in Farley. Authorities say a vehicle driven by 24-year-old Alex Hannan, of Dubuque, was merging onto the highway around 3 a.m. Sunday when it struck Besler.

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — A teenager has pleaded guilty to stabbing another teen at a Fort Dodge Senior High homecoming dance. Eighteen-year-old Max Bly pleaded guilty to the Oct. 5, 2013, stabbing of Lucas Fiala. Bly admitted to using a pocket knife to stab 18-year-old Fiala in the back on Oct. 5. Bly pleaded guilty to willful injury causing bodily injury and going armed with intent.

An Adams County man has announced his candidacy for Iowa House of Representatives in District 21, which includes parts of Cass and Pottawattamie, and all of Union and Adams Counties. Tim Ennis, from Corning, says he intends to run for the seat currently held by Jack Drake, from Griswold.

Ennis currently serves on the Adams Community Industrial Development Committee and has served as President of the Adams County Extension Council. He’s also a member and officer of the Knights of Columbus, and is active in other service organizations as well.

Ennis markets organic grain for farmers in Iowa and six other Midwest states. He’s a native of Wisconsin and grew up on a hog and dairy farm. He and his wife Kathy have three children and three grandsons who all live in the Des Moines area. His bio says he has a BA degree in Economics from University of Chicago.

Officials with Live Healthy Iowa say Atlantic is one of 10 host sites for this Saturday’s statewide Live Healthy Iowa 5K run/walk and 1K kid’s run. The event will start and finish at Nishna Valley YMCA with the 5K kicking off at 8 a.m. and 1K kid’s run at 9 a.m. On-site registration will be available and adult 10 Week Wellness Challenge participants may present their Access Card to receive a $10 discount off their registration fee.

The run/walk event serves as a finale celebration for over 28,000 Iowans who participated in the 2014 10 Week Wellness Challenge which ended on Friday, April 4. All Iowans are welcome to participate in this family-friendly event and will receive a Live Healthy Iowa 5K t-shirt, race number, finisher medal and the opportunity to win age-group awards. The cost for the 5K is $25. The 1K kid’s run for youth ages 12 and younger is $5. Packet pickup will be at the Nishna Valley YMCA Saturday morning 7-7:45 a.m. For more local event details, visit www.livehealthyiowa.org.

In its’ inaugural year, the Live Healthy Iowa 5K will be held in Atlantic, Bondurant, Britt, Carroll, Fort Dodge, Grundy Center, Hiawatha, Mount Ayr, Storm Lake and Waukon. Host communities were selected based on historically strong participation in Live Healthy Iowa challenges and the enthusiasm of the community wellness coalitions. Proceeds from the event will benefit the local wellness coalitions in each community, as well as Adaptive Sports Iowa’s veteran outreach efforts.

Live Healthy Iowa and Live Healthy Iowa Kids provide challenges and events throughout the year to promote healthy and active lifestyles. To learn more about these programs and find more information about the Live Healthy Iowa 5K, please visit our website at www.livehealthyiowa.org or contact us directly by phone at 888-777-8881.

The Atlantic Police Department reports three people were arrested Friday. 33-year old Steven Pedersen, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Possession with Intent to Deliver Meth. He was transported to Cass County Jail and booked in.

24-year old Marshall Fischer, of Atlantic, was arrested for Driving While License Revoked. He was transported to Cass County Jail and booked in. And, 50-year old Elvin Shrimpton, of Atlantic, was arrested Friday on a Cass County Warrant for Criminal Mischief in the 2nd degree. He was also transported to Cass County Jail and booked in.

Sheriff’s officials in Page County say an Essex woman was injured Sunday evening, when she jumped from a boat dock at Rapp Park, as part of a “Polar plunge.” 34-year old Carrie Sickler was found lying next to her vehicle on the ground. A Shenandoah Ambulance crew attended to the woman’s injuries.

Sheriff Lyle Palmer reminds citizens that “In all of Page County Parks, swimming, wading, or any other form of [those activities are] prohibited without express permission of the Page County Conservation Board for certain organized events, such as the ‘Relay for Life’ event that took place at Rapp Park.” Palmer says “The signs in all of the county parks are there for a reason: Public Safety.”

An ATV reported stolen out of Cass County, Nebraska, was found near Shambaugh Sunday afternoon, after authorities responded to a report of teenagers riding the machine on a road, possibly endangering the lives of children playing in the area. The Page County Sheriff’s Office says when deputies arrived, they found 15-year old Dillon Davis, of Clarinda, riding an ATV from the road onto private property at 409 Cinder Avenue.

A check of the 2003 Polaris Predator’s  Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) revealed the machine had been stolen. The teen’s father, Kelly Davis, arrived with paperwork showing he had legally purchased the ATV in Feb. 2013, and other documentation. All of the characters on the bill of sale matched, except the last one. The number was left off the State of Iowa Certificate supposedly issued through Pottawatttamie County.

The ATV was subsequently seized. While the case remains under investigation, authorities stress neither Kelly nor Dillon Davis are suspects at this time, as they have done everything correct in purchasing the ATV.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A southwest Iowa lawmaker has stopped participating in the legislative session, saying he’s too busy working on his farm.  Sen. Hubert Houser hasn’t cast a vote on the Senate floor since March 4th.  Houser, a Republican who has served 22 years in the House and Senate, says he asked GOP leaders for a light load this session, which will be his last. They obliged, and Houser says he now doesn’t have much to do at the Legislature, other than vote on bills making it to the Senate floor.

Because Democrats are in the majority, Houser tells The Des Moines Register his vote makes little difference.  Houser says he’s busy on his farm, where his family is building new livestock facilities.  Houser says he’s “more than ready to move on.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad is standing firm in support of the director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, who says no money was offered to former workers for silence about their dismissals.  Branstad, at his weekly news conference Monday, says he believes Mike Carroll when he says no money was offered to keep settlement agreements confidential.

At least two state workers have testified they were offered additional cash to remain silent about their dismissals in 2011. Carroll told a joint legislative Government Oversight Committee last week that no money was offered.

Branstad says he believes Carroll that no state agencies offered money for silence. He says the workers are disgruntled former state employees. Branstad in an executive order signed last month prohibited future confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements.

While legislators in Des Moines continue to haggle over how to raise money to repair, maintain and expand Iowa’s crumbling roads, County Engineers and others keep pressing Iowa’s leaders to increase the Gas Tax. Cass County Engineer Charles Marker is one person who hopes legislators will stop fighting over the matter and get a bill passed that will give him more money to fix the roads that he can’t fix given his current budget.

Marker says the gas tax hasn’t changed since 1989 inflation “Has been eating us [meaning the County Secondary Roads budgets] alive, because [the] Road Use Tax is two-thirds of my budget.” Marker says about half of the property tax dollars he receives locally, are used to purchase road rock. Without an increase in the RUTF, they’re falling being on getting the roads fixed. Even when property taxes go up, according to Marker, his department’s share of the money doesn’t change. He says he has been capped at his maximum Mil levy for the past 12-to 15-years, and when the property taxes go up, it’s caused by something other than Secondary Roads.

Marker says when there’s no money, there’s no improvements in road infrastructure. The Iowa County Engineer’s Association, a trucker’s  lobby, the Iowa Association of Contractors and others are lobbying for an increase in the gas tax, which Governor Branstad has said is “not popular” with Iowans. Marker disagrees. He says from what he hears, people are not opposed to improving county roads. The question remains however, “How do we fund them?” Marker says Road Use Taxes are just that – User supported – meaning they are paid by tourists, truckers and anyone who uses Iowa’s roads, when they fill-up with gasoline, in the state.

Marker understand no one wants to pay more for gas, especially with the day-to-day fluctuations in prices, the gas tax is something that – if approved – would be spread out over a period of three- years. The one-time 10-cent increase would be phased-in three-cents for both the first and second years and four-cents the third year.

He also wanted to dispel rumors that funds derived from the tax would be used for anything other than road repairs. Marker says that’s simply not the case. If the misconception were alleviated, there would be an up-swell of support among the public in favor of the specifically designated tax.